TSPLOST Fails in Douglas, Metro Atlanta

The fierce battle between advocates and opponents of the TSPLOST has come to an end. The transportation sales tax has unofficially failed in all 10 metro Atlanta counties including Douglas, by 167,207 votes—a 26% margin, with 248,319 (37%) voted yes, and 415,526, (63%) voted no.

Douglas voters soundly rejected the referendum with 13,534 (68%) voted against it, and 6,383 (32%) voted in favor, out of the 19,917 cast from Tuesday. The 153 precincts didn't complete final reporting until around 4 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Voters in 12 regions across Georgia were asked to decide on the measure that has potential to generate more than $18 billion for transportation projects across the state over the next decade.

Supporters of the TSPLOST continued to campaign across the region until the final minutes of the Tuesdat primary. and are both among the advocates, and said that passing the referendum would create jobs and improve congestion in the area. They also argue that the failure of the tax's passage would cause long-term economic damage to the region.

Opponents of the tax, including and Patch Blogger , suggest that the current TSPLOST package fails to address the real transportation problems in the metro Atlanta region and only helps bring in revenue and short-term jobs.

Here's how Douglas and other metro Atlanta counties voted:

Total:

248,319 (37%)

415,526 (63%)

663,845

*Unofficial results from the Cobb County Board of Elections & Registration as of 4 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 1.

How did you vote on the TSPLOST? Are you happy with the results? Tell us in the comments!